Institutional Access

Secure Checkout

Personal information is secured with SSL technology.

Free Shipping

Free global shipping No minimum order.

Description

Soil Health and Intensification of Agroecosystems examines the climate, environmental, and human effects on agroecosystems and how the existing paradigms must be revised in order to establish sustainable production. The increased demand for food and fuel exerts tremendous stress on all aspects of natural resources and the environment to satisfy an ever increasing world population, which includes the use of agriculture products for energy and other uses in addition to human and animal food.

The book presents options for ecological systems that mimic the natural diversity of the ecosystem and can have significant effect as the world faces a rapidly changing and volatile climate. The book explores the introduction of sustainable agroecosystems that promote biodiversity, sustain soil health, and enhance food production as ways to help mitigate some of these adverse effects.

New agroecosystems will help define a resilient system that can potentially absorb some of the extreme shifts in climate. Changing the existing cropping system paradigm to utilize natural system attributes by promoting biodiversity within production agricultural systems, such as the integration of polycultures, will also enhance ecological resiliency and will likely increase carbon sequestration.

Key Features

Focuses on the intensification and integration of agroecosystem and soil resiliency by presenting suggested modifications of the current cropping system paradigm

Examines climate, environment, and human effects on agroecosystems

Explores in depth the wide range of intercalated soil and plant interactions as they influence soil sustainability and, in particular, soil quality

Presents options for ecological systems that mimic the natural diversity of the ecosystem and can have significant effect as the world faces a rapidly changing and volatile climate

Readership

Graduate and undergraduate students in the areas of agronomy, crop, soil and environment sciences. This book will also be an excellent resource for field agronomists, other practitioners, and crop consultants

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Fundamentals and Functions of Soil Environment

Abstract

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Soil Properties and Interrelationships

1.3 Soil Biological Environment

1.4 Soil Chemical Environment

1.5 Conclusions

References

Chapter 2. Climate Variability Effects on Agriculture Land Use and Soil Services

Abstract

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Climate Variables and Temporal Trends

2.3 Patterns of Agriculture Land Use

2.4 Role of Soil Services in Mitigating Effects of Climate Variability

Details

About the Editor

Mahdi Al-Kaisi

Dr. Mahdi M. Al-Kaisi is a professor of Soil Physics at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA. He obtained his B.S. degree in Soil Science from the University of Baghdad, Iraq, in 1974, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Soil Physics from North Dakota State University in 1983 and 1986. Professor Al-Kaisi held positions as a Water Quality Specialist at Colorado State University, 1990-2000 and Assistant, Associate, and full Professor from 2000 to present at Iowa State University, where his research focus is in the area of applied soil physics that includes research on the effects of cropping and tillage systems, crop residue management, and nitrogen application on soil physical properties, soil carbon dynamics, greenhouse gas emissions, soil temperature, water quality, and other ecosystem services. Professor Al-Kaisi and his graduate students, along with colleagues, published research findings in a wide range of national and international journals, proceedings, and popular press. His research led to the development of extension bulletins, and online management tools such as, residue and erosion calculators and the development of a soil carbon index for soils in Iowa. He served as Associate Editor for many journals and review panels. Professor Al-Kaisi is a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, USA.

Affiliations and Expertise

Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States

Birl Lowery

Birl Lowery is an Emeritus Professor of Soil Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison). He held positions ranging from Assistant Professor to Professor from 1980 to 2014 at UW-Madison, and Senior Associate Dean in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences from 2010 to 2013. In 1973 he obtained a B.S. degree in Agricultural Education from Alcorn University, an M.A. degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1975 from Mississippi State University, and Ph.D. in Soil Physics in 1980 from Oregon State University. His area of research was applied soil physics, which included research on soil temperature and water regimes, erosion, compaction, contaminant flow in soil, and groundwater quality. He and his students and colleagues published their research findings extensively in a wide range of journals, proceedings, popular press, and book chapters. He has served as Associate Editor for numerous journals over his career.

Affiliations and Expertise

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States

Request Quote

Tax Exemption

We cannot process tax exempt orders online. If you wish to place a tax exempt order
please contact us.